Ordinary Girlz Book Reviews interviews this weeks feature author Teresa Morrow, author of Life Lessons from the Heart. 1) Tell us a little about your book, what it’s about?Teresa: my book Life Lessons from the Heart chronicles lessons I learned from life experience. (Good and not so good) Such as losing my mom at the age of six, a divorce from my daughter’s father, finding true love with an African American man twenty years older than me and discovering the love for myself which made all the difference.2) What genre is this current book, do you write in any other genres?Teresa: This book Life Lessons from the Heart is a non fiction inspirational/ self help book. I am currently working on a fiction book tentatively titled It All Comes Back To Love, which is considered contemporary fiction, inspired by life events surrounding my journey falling in love with my (now) husband. 3) When did you first decide you wanted to be a writer, at what age?Teresa: I started writing in junior high, mostly poetry. Then my soul came back to writing in the last five years and I have been loving it ever since.4) Do you have a day job or do you write exclusively?Teresa: Besides writing, I also help others through life lessons coaching and consulting services 5) When did you start writing your first book?Teresa: I started writing Life Lessons From The Heart, last year in 2011, my fiction book that has not yet been released I started five years ago. 6) How long does it take you to write a book?Teresa: This is a great question, because it took me less time to write the non fiction (of course it is a shorter book) than my fiction. But I am learning what strategy of writing works for me, so I think the next time I sit down to write a book it won’t take me more than six to eight months…… hopefully 7) Do you have an outline when you write or do you just write and see where it goes?Teresa: That is where the previous question and this one come together. I started my fiction book without an outline and that is why I believe it took me longer. My non fiction I started with an outline and the process went quicker. What is your writing process like; do you have any weird quirks when writing?Teresa: I try to write everyday but that doesn’t always happen. But I don’t fret over it. I allow my soul and inner guidance to lead me when to write, and how much to write. The second part of your question is a good one. At times I write better with music in the background. (80′s rock especially) And other times, I really enjoy a quiet space, with a candle lit, and a cup of green tea beside me. 9) What kind of research went into this book, tell me a little bit about that process.Teresa: Life Lessons from the Heart didn’t take much research because it came from my own life experiences. However I did take time to think about how I wanted the book to be laid out and how I wanted the material to be presented to the reader. 10) What is the most interesting thing you learned about while writing your books?Teresa: Great question! One is I need to add more to Life Lessons from the Heart. I am going to be doing an “extended” edition or a “part 2” of Life Lessons from the Heart. I learned to trust my inner guidance when writing. 11) What motivated you to tell this story?Teresa: To share with others the lessons I’ve learned in hopes to help them realize the beauty life has to offer and to allow the reader to realize the beauty inside themselves that is waiting to be shared with the world 12) How have you marketed this book?Teresa: Marketing a book is an ongoing process

13) Do you have any other work out?Teresa: No, not yet. 14) What projects are you working on now?Teresa: I am working on expanding Life Lessons from the Heart and also my first fiction book, It All Comes Back To Love. 15) What has been your toughest criticism? What has been your best compliment as an author?Teresa: My toughest critics was that my thoughts in the book where cut off to short (That is why I am planning on expanding the book). And another was the book could have been edited better. Best compliment was I have had a few readers of Life Lessons from the Heart has helped them move forward. Another compliment was when they read the book; they felt like they were talking to a caring friend. 16) What do you do when you’re not writing?Teresa: I enjoy reading books such as Janet Evanovich and Ed McBain (most writers are readers, ha!), watching TV & movies such as Super Soul Sunday and Hallmark Channel, listening to music (my taste range from the Eagles to Maroon 5 to UB40 to Carrie Underwood), cooking, and exercise (love yoga and walking). 17) What do your friends and family think of your writing, have they been supportive?Teresa: My friends and family have been very supportive. And another lesson that I learned is that even if they were not supportive but it was part of my life purpose to write, then I would write. 18) Do you hear from your reader much, what has the feed back been like?Teresa: The readers seem to enjoy the book. As I mentioned above, one thing I have been told was it is good but they felt like the thoughts were cut off too soon. But they felt that I truly care about others and helping them realize the beauty of life. 19) What was your favorite book growing up?Teresa: That is such a loaded question because I read so many… however; I did truly enjoy Nancy Drew books and the Create Your Own Adventure series.

20) Tea, coffee or hot chocolateTeresa: Green tea all the way. Although a White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks comes in a close second. 21) Cat or dog?Teresa: I had dogs in the house growing up. 22) Print book or e-reader which medium do you prefer?Teresa: I prefer an e-reader but I still like the feel of a book in my hand too. 23) Worst fearTeresa: Don’t like to think of life in terms of fear. But I can say I feel the most uncomfortable when I am faced with something unknownand I feel that I can control it somehow.

24) Greatest wishTeresa: for everyone to realize their true worth and to share it with others. 25) If your book was made into a movie what actors would you choose to play the parts?Teresa: I am thinking Morgan Freeman or maybe Denzel Washington to play the male lead and maybe Ginnifer Goodwin or Anne Hathaway to play the female lead. Not sure who might play the other characters. Need more time to think about this question. 26) Glass half empty or half full?Teresa: Definitely half full…you would be AMAZED at how thinking positive can change your world. 27) Favorite colorTeresa: Turquoise blue

28) Favorite placeTeresa: Home 29) Light or DarkTeresa: Light 30) Most embarrassing momentTeresa: The one that comes to mind is when I was in middle school I was running up the bleachers trying to be cool and I slipped and hit the bridge of my nose on the edge. Everyone in the class laughed until they realized I really hurt myself.You can find out more about Teresa Morrow by checking out the following links Connect with her on twitter http://twitter.com/teresamorrow Facebook http://facebook.com/teresaamorrow LinkedIn http://linkedin.com/in/teresamorrowhttp://teresamorrow.com. Here is a brief description of the book Life lessons from the heart by the author Teresa Morrow. At times life is filled with disappointment, hardship and overwhelm. However, you also know life is a precious gift you have been given. It is in the times of hardship, disappointment and overwhelms, life lessons are offered and given to learn and grow from. In this book, Life Lessons from the Heart, the author shares her experiences of hard times and how she was able to work through them. She tells how she became appreciative of even the toughest of times such as the death of her mom, a divorce with the father of her child, gettingdisowned by her father for dating a man of a different race, and her husband’s heart attack. The author reveals how she finds life’s beauty even when life throws in scary, sad or unfortunate events. She shares how she discovered that life is rich in community and saturated in love. She offers ways where you can go on to live a richer, happier and more fulfilled life that breeds from your true authentic self. This book shares stories and insight on how to:~realize the importance of celebrating who you are (just as you are now)~release the grip of having to be right and in control~end the feeling of self doubt~embrace and find time to do the things you love to do~and much more…You can purchase a copy of her book Life Lessons from the Heart on smashwordshttp://www.smashwords.com/books/view/204829

I want to Thank Teresa for taking the time to hang out with us and answer all our questions.

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Authors Kathy & Di

Kathy :I love to read. I learned to read at a really early age and was never without something to read growing up. Reading is a cheap easy vacation, when you can become soengrossed in what you are reading that you can see, smell, hear and taste everything in your minds eye. I'm just a ordinary girl living life one page at a time.

Di : I love all books with memorable characters, exciting adventures and real life tales. Reading is something that is a sensory experience for me. I can see, hear, taste and smell the adventure unfolding before me as if I were actually there. I come from a very long line of family readers and must have caught the reading bug from them. I rarely leave the house without a book in case I find myself with a spare few minutes to stick my nose into a story.